Below are top wedding trends. These trends were gathered from multiple wedding experts.
Navy is the new black
Instead of black for suits/tuxes and bridesmaids dresses, Navy is going to be more popular. This color will spread throughout the theme of the wedding and be included in cake, invitations, and linen. It’s a great way to use a color other than black. This invitation suite created by Altogether Lovely Shop.
Invitation Suite by Altogether Lovely Shop.
Silver and chrome
Metallics have been really popular, in 2018 it looks like Silver and Chrome replaced rose gold that was popular in 2017. And now is gold! Gold accents everywhere.
Elevated Food and Beverages
According to Martha Stewart Weddings Wedding food and drinks have been getting more and more unique each year, but Brandi Hamerstone, a wedding planner at All Events Planned, expects to see couples really go for it. “This trend is happening mostly by a push from the groom!” she adds. “Having a bar with several versions of bourbon (or whiskey and tequila), special glassware, and a knowledgeable bartender is a fun concept for everyone. It’s best to have something like this only available through the cocktail hour or later in the evening as it becomes a focal point and will definitely pull people around and keep them engaged.”
Wedding dresses
According to The Knot, capes and capelets were a big hit on the fashion runways this year. Additional the traditional ball gown made it’s way back and will be seen at weddings. If you are not into veils, then Capes are a great alternative. It adds dimension but in a modern way. Additionally it can serve as a way to have an outfit change (without having to physically change or purchase another dress), just take off the cape.
Bridesmaid Dresses
The biggest thing will be lace, according to The Knot’s report on what hit the runways. It’s a great alternative to sequins and beading. These bridesmaid and maid-of-honor dresses by Epiphany Bridal Boutique in Carmel. Models (left to right) Claire Torres and Kirsten Swidler.
Bridesmaid or Maid of Honor dresses by Epiphany Bridal Boutique in Carmel.
Traditional Weddings
A lot of couples will be going back to formal weddings according to several wedding planners. “The return to formality is the pendulum swinging back from the super-relaxed and laid-back weddings we’ve seen over the past five years thanks to the rustic and Coachella-style that has inspired couples,” WeddingWire trend expert Anne Chertoff tells Refinery29.
Pedestal Vases
According to IFD Flower Trends Forecast, Floral trends are going to be in opulence and royalty with pedestal vases as centerpieces. The colors will be saturated and bold. The floral design below was created by Dubon Floral Design.
This floral design created by Dubon Floral Designs in San Jose, California
Deserts, not just cake
“Creative desserts,” Nora says, “such as popsicles, custards, and ice cream sandwiches” are what couples are serving at the end of the night. But this doesn’t mean that wedding cakes are going away. Beth explains, “Wedding cakes are back, and the cake cutting ceremony is coming back. Couples want that photo in their album, the same one their parents have in theirs.
Woodsy or Nature Looks
Brides who want a rustic look and feel will start steering away from the barn look to a more “woodsy” look according to Taylor Green of Taylor Elise Events in St. Louis, Missouri. This includes a lot of greenery in the florals and green as the wedding’s main color. “We’ll also move away from burlap and see more wooden details,” she explains. Wooden details can include the invitation, table numbers, seating cards, tags, chargers, signage, chairs, and tables.” Dresses below by Epiphany Bridal Boutique in Carmel. and floral design by Dubon Floral Design in San Jose.
Wedding gown and Bridesmaid dress by Epiphany Bridal Boutique in Carmel.
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YAY! You’re engaged! Check below to our tips to selecting your wedding rings:
1. Set a Budget
Keep in mind that wedding bands come in all shapes, sizes, stones. There’s a standard that says you’ll typically spend approximately 3 percent of your total wedding budget on the rings. Different stores will have different prices, but typically, a 14-karat gold or simple platinum band can cost around $1,000. When you add width to the band or stones or engraving, the costs will start to add up. TIP: Remember these bands will last for the next 30-60 years so consider that when creating the budget.
2. Decide on a style
Consider what you want your wedding ring to look like. Do you want to have your spouses band match yours or compliment? The type of band (thin or thick or guard to go around your engagement ring), stones or not (either precious or gemstones), and the type of metal (platinum, gold, silver, titanium, etc.)? It really comes down to the style you want coupled with the budget. Definitely decide upon this before you go shopping so you know what you want and can save precious wedding planning time on what you want and not what sales people will steer you toward. TIP: If you buy the bands at the same time, you may be able to get a discount.
3. Keep Your Lifestyle in Mind
Most people don’t think about the fact that you’ll be wearing this band every day and if you want something that won’t be difficult to wear. If you are someone who get’s their hands dirty, you may want a slimmer band so it’s more comfortable. If you work with your hands, you may want more of a simple band and forego any stones that could become lose with wear and tear. Also consider the metals the bands are made of because some metal is more study than others (i.e. gold is softer and can get dents, but Platinum is very study).
4. Consider the Size
As rings are often worn 24 hours a day, worn during work and in cold or hot weather you want to get the sizing right. You may consider avoiding shopping for rings first thing in the morning as your fingers are more swollen at that time. Also shop when you have a normal body temperature (if you just worked out and are hot and sweaty it’s not good). Also ask about how easily the metal is to cut should you have an accident or get pregnant.
5. Buy from Reputable Stores
Shop reputable stores. If you purchase online, be very careful and check for reviews and return policy. Rings should come with a manufacturer’s trademark and what the ring is made of (I.e. 24K or PLAT). The larger name brand stores usually have a higher markup, but they stand by their products and usually have a generous return policy. Online and smaller mom and pop stores may have better pricing, but be careful and confirm return policy.
Anyone getting married should read this so that they start the marriage off right.
My husband JC and I have been married for over 20 years and have four kids (ages 30, 28, 18, and 16), so we’ve been through it all. Additionally, my parents had been married almost 50 years at the time of my father’s death, and my grandparents had been married over 54 years at the time of my grandmother’s death. I’ve had the blessing of getting really great advice for years and now I’m adding a few of my own things (that are more modern – like cell phones LOL). I sincerely hope that this helps anyone that reads it to have a better idea of how your marriage can last!
Tips 1-5
Laughter is King!
One of the biggest reasons I married my husband (besides the fact that he cooks and was a firefighter) was because he makes me laugh. Even in the darkest times and the hardest struggles with each other and in life, our laughter together had made it easier.
Know that your husband is a man. Since you are a women, you will NEVER think alike.
Just knowing this helps me to know why he makes stupid decisions (lol). Men tend to want to walk away and think it through and come back to apologize, while women tend to want to talk things to death!
Even when you are mad at your husband, love him even in that moment (fyi – this is very hard!)
Even when I dislike my husband intently (i.e., he spends a fortune on the 15th fishing pole, etc.). I choose to love him even when I’d rather choke him. In choosing to love him, the dislike fades from that moment.
Always answer the phone when your husband/wife is calling.
This isn’t easy. My husband will call me even when I’ve told him I’m taking our daughter to the doctor. Clearly I can’t answer the phone in the waiting area of the doctor’s appointment. But I will go outside, answer with “honey, you know I’m at the doctor’s office”. Then he’ll apologize and tell me the very unimportant thing that he had to tell me about. But this way, I’ll know he will call me even when I call at an inconvenient time. The only two times we won’t is if we are driving or in church. BONUS TIP: When possible, try to keep your phone off when you’re together with your spouse
Make time together a priority.
Always plan for a “date night” without the kids. This enables you to have uninterrupted time with each other and to catch up through the busy week. Sometimes our date night is going grocery shopping if we have a busy week. It still strengthens the relationship!
Tips 6-10
Surround yourself with friends who are positive and support your relationship.
When you are surrounded by positive people and people that support your relationship, you won’t have negative views or people who take every opportunity to tear you and your relationship down. Over the years, we have stopped hanging out with people who didn’t fit this and it strengthened our relationship!
Pick your battles!
There is never a winner and a loser and sometimes fights are over being heard and not just being right. Don’t argue over everything, only argue over the things that really matter to you.
When he’s down, you be strong and when you’re down, he should be strong.
From the beginning, my husband and I do this for each other. We got this advice from our grandparents and parents. My husband even 20 years later, when I’m worried will say, “It’s going to be o.k.” Even if I don’t believe him, sometimes just his saying so will enable me to take a deep breath.
The bedroom is very important to a marriage. Don’t take arguments into it and make it a priority.
It takes more than sex to build a strong marriage, but it’s nearly impossible to build a strong marriage without it.
Remember that marriage isn’t 50/50 — divorce is 50/50.
It’s normal for each person in the marriage gives more than the other and different times. When a person in the marriage feels like they are always giving more, problems will happen. But if you both strive to give 100% at all times, you are always going to get through.
Tips 11-15
Life is not greener on the other side
When you are struggling, everyone else’s marriage will look better than yours. But, you don’t see the other couples struggles or private troubles and issues. Stop looking outward and what you may be missing and look inward to what you have.
Always put your husband first!
My mom and dad taught me this one. They always put each other over my brother and I. Now don’t get me wrong, our needs came first (food, clothing, love, etc.) but they showed it and told us that they were first to each other and my brother and I came first. My mom always said, we will raise you to be good citizens, but then you’ll leave to live a life of your own and we will be left with each other. If we don’t put each other first, we won’t have anything left of our marriage when you kids leave home. This is a big secret to a long marriage.
Don’t keep secrets from each other.
This is really important — even if you lie about little things like purchasing those amazing shoes, that can lead to biggers things because you’ll make a habit of lying. Remember that secrecy is the enemy of intimacy and lies break trust, and trust is the foundation of a strong marriage.
Model the kind of marriage that will make your sons want to grow up to be good husbands, and your daughters want to grow up to be good wives.
This is so true and you’ll see the rewards of this when you children get married and pick amazing spouses. I’ve been fortunate enough to see this in my older children and it’s such a blessing!
Never consider divorce as an option.
Never ever say “fine, then let’s get a divorce”. Even though it’s an instant way to let him know you are unhappy, you may hear back, “ok – let’s do that” one day. If you don’t make it an option from the beginning, you will instantly find ways to work around or through arguments and issues because there is no easy way out.
Tips 16-18
Never talk badly about your spouse to other people or vent about them online.
I’ve seen this time and time again with friends. They talk to everyone about how bad their spouse is or how he did something “unforgivable” and over time that erodes the trust and love and eventually negative people will encourage them to leave and they divorce. Always be your spouse’s biggest cheerleader, even when you don’t particularly like then in the moment. They are the one you chose and you need to choose how to support and love them, not bash them.
Always wear your wedding ring.
It’s a sign to others that you are married and a sign to your spouse that you love him. I’ve even had friends who tended to lose their ring after taking it off to wash hand and such, tattoo a ring on their finger – now that’s commitment.
When you have to choose between saying nothing or saying something mean to your spouse, say nothing every time.
BITE your tongue! That’s how you handle nit picking or bitching at your spouse. Be creative when you want to do so, and find something nice to say instead. It’s not easy but that’s the commitment you made the day you got married. Griping about shortcomings or injustices on a regular bases to your spouse over time will tear him down and make him insecure. It will also do the same to your marriage.
My Family in 2017
I am not perfect. And, neither is my marriage or my husband , but we do work day in and day out on each of these tips to strengthen our marriage. I wish you the same success in your marriage!!
I start every wedding day by sitting down with all the little details important to a bride. Details like wedding rings, engagement ring, other jewelry she’ll be wearing, gown, shoes, bouquet, and the family heirlooms (think something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue) like a bride’s grandmother’s handkerchief or ring – something that bride will wear or carry with her walking down the aisle. And let’s not forget the invitation suite. I’ll have my bride have all of the details ready in the Bridal suite where she is getting ready, as that’s the first thing I photograph when I arrive on a wedding day. (Read more about how to prepare for my arrival here!)
It’s a big deal!
Picking wedding invitations is a big deal. You want them to capture the color/theme of your wedding and also your personality. Do you want them to be simple or extravagant, casual or formal, a suite or a single invite? The great thing about getting married these days is that you get to choose what you want to do. These days, there really aren’t any rules, so do what makes sense for you two!
Recently I found an invitation company that I love called Basic Invite. I’ll list the reasons why I love it below. I was fortunate enough to design my own invitation on their website, and y’all, it is SO easy! I selected one of their all in one invite. It folds into the invitation but has everything in one foldable invite, including the reply card!! I just loved it! I was really impressed with the texture of the one I ordered. It was like velvet to the touch and found myself touching it over and over again while photographing it.
And bonus, when you are done, you can create a website for your wedding that matches your invitation suite! My heart be still! It’s so exciting to get the exact look and feel that matches your invites!!
I am SO excited to introduce you to their brand today while listing the reasons why below. A quick disclosure before we get started: this post was sponsored by Basic Invite, though opinions are my own–Basic Invite really is that good!
If you are looking for a quick and easy one-stop-shop for all of your wedding paper goods, Basic Invite is the place to go!
Reasons why I love this company and what they provide:
Almost Unlimited Colors
Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options. So, you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it – down to the littlest detail. This is what we feel sets us apart from almost any other online stationery company and is what we feel is our biggest draw.
Custom Samples
Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order.
Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes
Basic Invite is just as colorful with our envelopes as we are with our invitations. Customers can choose from over 40 different colors when it comes to their envelopes so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. All of our envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be quickly and securely closed.
Over 900 Wedding Invitation Sets
Each of our wedding invitations is part of a set. You can find everything from save the dates to wedding invitations and enclosure cards, wedding menus, wedding programs and even matching thank you cards!
Free Address Collection Service
Use our free address collection service to request your addresses with just three simple steps. Share a link, collect addresses, and get free envelope printing.
Seal & Send Wedding Invitations (my new favorites)
Our Seal & Send Wedding Invitations are an all-in-one wedding invitation with a tear-off RSVP postcard included! The Seal & Send lin is our newest collection and brides and LOVING them! Currently, we offer them in over 30 designs including our ever-popular foil options and like our other products are customizable. What’s extra special about our Seal & Sends is that guest’s addresses are printed on the front of each invitation which means no envelope necessary! All you have to do is share a link, collect guest addresses, and upload them onto your design, instantly. Once you receive your order all you have to do is add postage, fold your invites, and secure them with a sticker! Simple, easy, and super trendy.
BONUS: Free Wedding Websites
Our all-new wedding websites are completely customizable just like our wedding invitations! These wedding websites are mobile-friendly and super easy to use. You can instantly upload all of your wedding details along with images and a map with directions which is super convenient for your guests. Choose from 180 custom colors and even choose a design to match your wedding invitation suite!
So jump right on our to Basic Invite and as an added bonus, you can use code: JenVazquez to get 20% off your order! How exciting is that?
Are you getting married and looking for a photographer?
I’d really love to chat briefly to learn about you and your sweatheart and what you have planning for your wedding. Click HERE to schedule a free consultation by phone or video chat!!
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Jen Vazquez Photography Wins 2018 Two Bright Lights Editors’ Choice Award
Thanks in part to my phenomenal clients and my commitment to producing exceptional wedding photography, I am honored to announce that I have been selected as a winner of a 2018 Two Bright Lights Editors’ Choice Award!
This award is a celebration of Two Bright Lights members whose number of published features in 2017 put them among the top 1% of the community. Editors’ Choice winners were published across many of the most respected lifestyle, wedding and other print and digital publications in the United States and worldwide.
It is a great distinction to be recognized alongside this group of talented photographers and creative professionals. Over the past year, my features have given me the opportunity to increase exposure of my work and it is exciting to receive this award in recognition of my effort.
Thanks again to all of the other creative professionals who made these features possible!
See some of the publications that I’ve gotten here!
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Jen Vazquez Photography Honored for Excellence in 10th Annual WeddingWire Couples’ Choice AwardsⓇ
SAN JOSE, CA – January 10, 2018 – Jen Vazquez Photography today announced its recognition as a winner of the esteemed 2018 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice AwardⓇ for Wedding Photographer in San Francisco Bay Area.
WeddingWire Inc., the leading global online marketplace for the wedding and events industry, annually recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals on WeddingWire who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The top local wedding professionals in more than 20 service categories from venues to florists are awarded the prestigious accolade.
Jen Vazquez Photography was recognized as a recipient solely based on reviews from newlyweds and their experiences working with them. Award-winning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients.
“This is the tenth year we’ve celebrated our top-rated vendors who have helped millions of couples celebrate one of the most important days of their lives,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “This group of dedicated and acclaimed wedding professionals, such as Jen Vazquez Photography, not only make wedding planning simpler for engaged couples, but also serve as a trusted partner in helping to make WeddingWire the go-to place for wedding planning. We congratulate all of this year’s winners on their achievement.”
Jen Vazquez Photography is thrilled to be one of the top wedding photographers in the San Francisco Bay Area on WeddingWire.com.
For more information about Jen Vazquez Photography, please visit us at https://www.weddingwire.com/jenvazquezphotography.
Jen Vazquez Photography specializes in vibrant, elegant and genuine wedding and engagement photography in California and beyond.
About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire, Inc. is the leading global online marketplace connecting consumers with event and creative professionals. Operating within a $200 billion industry, WeddingWire, Inc. hosts 10 million monthly unique users across its mobile and web platforms. Consumers are able to read over 3 million vendor reviews and search, compare and book from a database of over 400,000 businesses. Globally, it provides these businesses the technology they need to serve their clients through advertising, marketing and business management tools such as websites, payment processing, invoicing and contracts. Founded in 2007, the WeddingWire portfolio of sites serves couples and businesses across 15 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia, making it the worldwide leader in weddings with brands including Bodas.net, Casamentos.com.br, Matrimonio.com and more. The company employs more than 900 and maintains global headquarters in Chevy Chase, MD and international headquarters in Barcelona, Spain.
